Special Feature: The Bermuda Triangle

Scientific theories

It's more intriguing and fun to believe in myths and legends rather than the scientific data used to support theories. One such scientific theory, however, states that the Bermuda Triangle, at the 80th meridian, is one of two spots on the planet where compass variation is unnecessary. At this agonic line, where actual north and magnetic north are aligned, sailors must compensate.

The Bermuda Triangle's region is also host to high magnetic activity, which could perhaps cause compasses to go wild. Meso-meteorological storms also share the blame. These weather systems are composed of thunderstorms, miniature cyclones and tornadoes, and they can appear without warning as they follow abnormal weather patterns.

Another explanation for craft disappearances is that methane is often released from the planet's core. Methane gas that is released in the water diminishes the water's density and is said to cause a vessel to sink or capsize in an instant. This is what some believe happened to the USS Cyclops in March 1918. The ship was reported to have an eccentric captain at its helm, a man who would apparently pace along the quarterdeck in his underwear. It was the event involving the USS Cyclops that allegedly inspired Paul Gallico to write The Poseidon Adventure.

It is widely believed that most boats or crafts that disappeared suffered from human error. Even the men of Flight 19 could have made mistakes; had they known about the peculiar environment in this area, they probably could have saved themselves.

The fact is that the area covered by the Bermuda Triangle is one of the most frequented spots for pleasure boating in the world. Given the area's popularity, people want to know if they are in any danger should they choose to vacation there. Could you be the next victim? The term is likely searched as a precautionary measure.

And let's not discard the media frenzy regarding the matter. A week doesn't go by without one documentary or another popping up on cable somewhere, be it TLC, the Discovery Channel or the History Channel.

The first media mention of the mystical phenomenon dates back to October 1952, when George X. Sand wrote a short article entitled "Sea Mystery at Our Back Door" in Fate magazine. Later, a string of articles appeared in the '60s that elaborated on the subject. It was Vincent Gaddis who first mapped the area and gave us its famous name in his article "The Deadly Bermuda Triangle," in a 1964 issue of Argosy magazine.

Through the years, a dozen exploitative minor films have been released and as many books have been published. It seems that even if scientists have come up with reasonable explanations for the various disasters that have occurred, few people really want to accept them as fact. It's much more interesting to believe in unexplained mysteries and incidents, and to speculate about them. And so the myth of the Bermuda Triangle is here to stay.